Tips for keeping your private life private in an era of near-constant social media engagement.
If you’re going through a divorce, it is most likely a highly sensitive and stressful time for you. The last thing you need is a bunch of well-meaning but nosy friends, colleagues, and family members demanding information, inserting their opinions, and judging your decisions.
Sweet, blessed silence: that’s one reason to reconsider your engagement with social media during a divorce. The other, perhaps more important reason, is to avoid giving your ex any evidence at all to use against you when dividing assets and child custody or establishing child support or spousal support. There are very few restrictions on the sorts of evidence that can be presented in a divorce case, and photos, posts, and location data from social media as well as bank statements and other records could certainly be used.
Here are a few tips that should help you protect your privacy—and ultimately your rights and interests—in a divorce case.
Change Your Passwords
First of all, you should begin by changing all your passwords. Even if you don’t think your spouse knows your passwords, they could be saved on a shared computer or device so it is safer to simply change everything. You may also need to start your own accounts if you used to share an account. The most important passwords to change are your email, banking, and social media passwords.
Prune Social Media and Networking Connections
Social media networks can provide important support during the stress of a divorce. However, it is important to use these networks wisely. As soon as possible, weed out any connections that you think would be on your ex’s side or likely to provide information about your activities to your ex. You may be able to do this without these connections even knowing it simply by changing your privacy settings.
Even with a pruned social network, you want to avoid posting too much personal information, and certainly don’t post negative comments, accusations, or threats about your ex. This type of activity can have a negative impact on your chances of securing custody of your kids or even possibly lead to criminal prosecution.
Consider a Digital Detox
Cyberstalking between exes is more common than you might think. If you have any suspicions whatsoever that your ex might stalk you—especially if there is a concern about domestic violence—it would be wise to turn off your digital devices altogether. Otherwise, spyware on your phone could allow your ex to listen in on your conversations or access GPS data that would enable them to follow you, potentially putting you and your kids at risk. For added protection against this sort of behavior, consult Kendall & Gkikas about the possibility of securing a restraining order.
